Michael Strong

June 21, 2011

This card was inspired by a card on Mike's blog. He has a very nice tutorial creating a B&W card using a basket technique. This card is 5" x 5".

Cut layers for card.

On smallest black layer, ink up large swirl image with silver ink pad and stamp in the center, about two thirds up. Ink image again and stamp image to the left moving it down half way, overlapping the side.

Ink image again and stamp to the right moving it up, overlapping the side.

Turn your paper around, and stamp to overlap the top of each of the stamped images.

May 22, 2011

Hetty is a lovely, talented woman who is the moderator for our Michael Strong Yahoo Group. Mike named his newly released coffee set after her. I'm so excited for Hetty!! She works hard to support our group, where lots of ideas are shared about creativity. This card is 5 1/4" x 5 1/4".

Choose color theme/design papers and markers. I picked several from my Club Scrapcollection and narrowed it down. I've been a member for years and just adore their card stock/papers!! They have great designs and texture on quality paper.

Add color to the image with markers. Start with lightest shades and cover the largest area with in an embossed area, then spread with water brush. Allow to dry. Color with the darkest shade covering a smaller area and spread color with water brush. Allow to dry.

Cut out image. Cut layers out of design paper/card stock.

Adhere layers.

Use a VersaMarker to color a part of the swirls image that will fit over coffee cup. Use a scrap piece of paper to mask where coffee cup will be, and stamp swirls about the coffee. Sprinkle with emboss powder and heat set.

May 21, 2011

This classy Cloisonné Fleur De Lis comes in a set of two and is one of Mike's new images. I call it classy because it can make a simple layout look classy. :o) See all Mike's images at Sunday International here.

This layout is for the May challenge we are having at the Michael Strong Yahoo Group. There's lots lots of ideas and fun going on there.

April 19, 2011

When I came home today, this is what was waiting for me! I'll be busy this weekend using them! I promise to share! :o) You can visit Mike's site to order them from his catalog. When you go there, you'll also see his adorable new granddaughter, Lily.

I run them through my Cuttlebug machine with the same set up as for my Spellbinder dies - they cut beautifully!

March 28, 2011

I made this card to help celebrate Michael Strong's 15 year anniversary of designing rubber stamps. Click here to read his interesting story! You'll also see some new stamp images he has coming out. I just got the Kimono! I can't wait to design with it!

This card measures 4 1/2 x 6" and has 15 elements on it to celebrate 15 years.

Stamp flower and leaf images on the smoother side of the watercolor paper, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.

Using three shades of a color family to watercolor the images: starting with the lightest color, fill in a section, leaving a small white space. Use a waterbrush to spread the color in the area. After it dries, add the next darkest color - laying down less color - spread it with the water brush. After it dries, I add a small amount of the darkest color and spread that. TIP: When watercoloring, wet one section at a time so you don't get hard lines. Always start with a clean brush in the lightest area and move to your darkest area.

Cut the images out.

Cut the design card stock so that one complete flower pot is the focal point. Use the VersaMark Marker to draw a stem and add a line over the black swirl. Sprinkle emboss powder and heat set.

Adhere layers to the base card. TIP: The liquid adhesive allows you more time to shimmy and position paper pieces.

Adhere all pieces onto top layer of card. Use Crystal Effects and a toothpick for the Dew Drops.

Adhere a piece of design card stock inside for the note. The pattern is light enough to write over.

March 18, 2011

This weekend at Sunday International enjoy "FREE" shipping w/on your entire order w/ the purchase of any Mike Strong stamp. Enter coupon code "STRONG" during checkout & purchase any Mike Strong stamp to receive "FREE" shipping. This offer applies to all accounts within the U.S. Offer is only valid till Sunday March 20th.

March 15, 2011

I made a four leaf clover card using Mike's mini heart shape. I used a piece of background design paper I made a couple weeks ago. Click here to see how made the background paper. When I make a design paper for a project, I always make extra for "later." :o) This card was really quick.

Pick out colorful scrap papers in your stash - design papers/card stock, papers you colored or created with different techniques.

Swipe them with an antic static bag.

Ink up mini egg image with white craft ink pad and stamp onto card stock. Repeat for each piece of your scrap. On this card I used a total of seven - three in the basket, and four more next to it. Sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.

Cut out each image.

Ink up basket image and stamp onto white card stock.

Color with markers.

Use white pen to give a highlight to the basket.

Cut out the basket portion of the image.

Think about your layout and arrange your pieces on the top layer of your card. Take a photo to help you remember. :o)

Stamp egg images on white card stock with complimentary colors to match layout on front of card. This piece will be for your inside note card.

Adhere all your pieces! All done!

When you need multiple masks of one image, stamp one time on Eclipse tape. Layer number of pieces you need on top of each other. With the stamped image on top, cut through all layers. Isn't that a great idea?! It's not mine. :o) I got it from Judi Watanabe of Judi-kins! I received the most awesome DVD for Christmas from my thoughtful husband. It's called Art Unscripted. In addition to Judi, Carol Duvall hosts several artists who share projects, tips and inspiration.

February 26, 2011

This month Michael Strong challenged our Yahoo Group to make a card with non-traditional Valentine's Day colors, i.e. no red, no pink. I made a card that can be used anytime of the year, with your partner in life or with someone in your life that encourages you and lifts you up.

Ink up mini heart image with VersaMark watermark ink pad, then with chocolate ink pad and stamp onto card stock. Repeat for three more images. Sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set. NOTE: In between inking up your image, stamp off excess. You can also completely clean your stamp. I have a dirty and a clean VersaMark pad. I use the dirty one for this technique. My ATC bud Diane ask me about my "dirty ink pad." :o)

Cut out images.

Use a sponge or blending tool to gently add color around oval layer.

Use marker to draw body & antennae of butterfly. Use white pencil to add a little highlight on one side of body.

Adhere layers building from base card up.

Adhere wings

The words were generated via computer and printed onto card stock. I always print my words first on copy paper to make sure I have the size and layout I want before printing on cards stock, AND I always check spelling. :o) Use a sponge or blending tool to gently add color around it.

February 04, 2011

Ink up large paisley frame image with VersaMark watermark ink and partially stamp on one side of card stock, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.

Ink up small paisley image with VersaMark watermark ink and stamp in blank area of card stock. Repeat several times to create a random design, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.

Choose two or three coordinating PanPastel colors to match design paper. Use sponge soft tool to pick up a small amount of lightest color and then spread onto card stock in a circular motion. Pick up a shade darker and apply the same way. Repeat until you get the colors you desire. Use a clean paper towel in a circular motion to remove pastel from embossed images, also to burnish the pastel into the card stock. This is my first time using the PanPastels on a finished product - I know there's much more that can be done with them. I'm starting slow. :o)

Ink up small paisley image with gold ink and stamp onto white card stock, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set. The gold ink and clear embossing powder together result in a soft image. Cut out using die cut.

Chose what part of your pastel layer you want to use on your final card. Cut it down.

Adhere all layers. Note: When I was thinking about my layout on the design paper, I purposely cut it so it would include both the bold and subtle images. The design card stock is so pretty! It is designed by Mike - that's why they coordinate so well with his stamps. ;o)

February 03, 2011

This card features a technique using Tombow Markers and a water brush.

Stamp large and small flower (Sun for this card) images on the smoother side of the watercolor paper, sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set.

Using three shades of a color family to watercolor the images: starting with the lightest color, fill in a section, leaving a small white space. Use a waterbrush to spread the color in the area. After it dries, add the next darkest color - laying down less color - spread it with the water brush. After it dries, I add a small amount of the darkest color and spread that. TIP: When watercoloring, wet one section at a time so you don't get hard lines. Always start with a clean brush in the lightest area and move to your darkest area.

Cut out each sun and set aside.

On a smooth piece of card stock, sponge blue ink over a cloud temple. NOTE: If you do not have a cloud template, you can make your own with a scallop punch as shown in the photo.

Use a sponge or blending tool to gently add color around the template on to your base layer.

Lay "sun" over the clouds to determine where to add sun beams. Use a straight edge scrap paper and sponge or Color Box Stylus to add beams of light .

Trim top edge of sky to allow room for sentiment.

Tear thin peices of texture card stock for water waves. Make sure they are wider than your cloud layer. Add some blue ink over texture to help give it depth.

Edge torn edges with white craft ink. Allow to dry.

Adhere torn pieces to base card stock. Trim edges to fit cloud layer.

After you add the water, you can add more beams of light and extend them across the water. Adhere to base card.

Stamp sentiment.

Use pop dots to adhere sun.

Trim 1/4" off top and one side of A2 size white card stock. Add the small flower image and adhere to inside of card.

Decorate the envelop by stamping the small flower image along the left side. Use straight edge scrap paper and blending tool to add a yellow background for the flower.

February 01, 2011

This card features mini creatures from Michael Strong. Very easy and fun to make!

Pick four shades of blue ink pads.

Pick up lightest color of blue with your brayer, moving in one direction to pick up color.

Lightly brayer back and forth, moving brayer down white card stock, starting off your paper moving towards the middle. Repeat several times to add a nice shading of blue - until you get the shade you like. Turn card around 180 degrees and brayer next darker shade into the lightest shade. Repeat several times..

From that same side, brayer the next shade. Repeat several times. Brayer the darkest shade only about an inch in. Repeat.

Add sea plants with marker.

Ink up mini fish image with Memento black ink and stamp onto white card stock. Repeat to get three stamped images for each mini image.

Color the images using two markers in, or near, a color family for shading. Cut out images.

Adhere images to brayered layer, laying down shell and star images so they go off the bottom. Trim edges.

Use pen to add bubbles coming out of each fish's mouth.

Ink up sentiment with Versafine ink and stamp.

Adhere all layers.

For inside of card, mask off the top of a piece of white card stock, brayer lightest blue. Ink up shell mini with shell image and stamp, then stamp again. Repeat across the brayered area.

January 31, 2011

Each day this week, I will post a card of the day featuring Michael Stong's images. Please stop by to see. If you get inspired and make something from what you see on my blog, please leave me a comment with a link to your deisgn so I can see it!

I made this card for Valerie Wilson Reed - we are in a Women's Business Network together in the Chicagoland area. I'm so excited for Val! Her fabulous apron designs recently got picked up by Sears. A couple months ago, she was on HSN. You can visit her website by clicking here. When you visit, you'll see her design that inspired this card.

I did not want the flowers to show up in the apron image - I'm using the paisley as the design for the apron - to match Val's design. To get the outside of the image, use the VersaMark pen to ink up the border and skirt folds of the apron image. Because of the skirt's width, the complete image will not fit inside the large paisley image. First outline the top part of the apron and stamp. Then outline the skirt port and stamp next to the top. Don't worry about inking past the top or bottom - you are going to cut the pieces out.

Sprinkle with embossing powder and heat set. Cut out images without arpon strings.

January 27, 2011

This project features Michael Strong's mini wings set in a 3D-Frame. The colorful mini backgrounds were inspired by a technique I learned from Kevin, the owner and designer of Stampscapes images. You can see the original post here.

Cut A2 size card stock in four even pieces. Choose four shades of a color family for each mini card.

Starting with your lightest color, lightly swipe the sponge from the outside in - turning the card after each swipe. Continue around the card several times. Repeat with the next three shades. Use a small amount of black as your final shade.

Ink up the texture image with the 2nd lightest shade and stamp.

Repeat the above steps for two more mini cards.

Using the Versafine ink pad, stamp each image on a mini background.

Before using the acrylic pieces, gently wipe them off with alcohol.

Coat one side of the small acrylic frame with with clear drying glue and press it onto your decorated paper. If you use too much glue, wipe off the excess with a damp paper towel. When you press the glue covered acrylic over your image, turn it in a circular motion to make sure all areas of the acrylic frame are coated. Repeat for the other two pieces.

Depending on how much glue used, it should be dry within a couple minutes. Make sure your glue is completely dry. Use a craft knife or small scissors to cut the paper around the edges of the shape. Use a piercing tool to poke away the paper blocking the hole.

Drip alcohol inks onto a cotton ball and dab all around the large frame. Add blending solution to the cotton ball and dab some more. Repeat these steps until you are happy with the colors. This creates a pretty 'see-through" polished stone effect.

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All the Images and Text on this site are owned by the original creator, Trena Brannon. Please do not copy or use anything without asking permission. These projects and stories are shared for inspirational use only. Designs may not be copied for the purpose of publication or contest submissions. Thank you for your support!

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